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In Article " Introduction to Lightning System Design- Part One ", I listed all terms, abbreviations and
Symbols used in lightning field.
Also, in Article " Introduction to Lightning System Design- Part Two ", I answered the following
questions:
What is Lightning?
What are the types of Lightning flashes?
What is the shape of The Lightning Waveform?
How Lightning strikes can affect the electrical and/or electronic systems of a building?
What are the main effects of Lightning?
And in Article " Types Of Lightning Protection Systems LPS ", I list the main types of Lightning Protection
Systems as follows:
Lightning protection systems for buildings and installations may be divided into three
principal types as follows:
1. LPS for Protection for buildings and installations against direct strike by
lightning,
2. LPS for Protection against overvoltage on incoming conductors and conductor
systems,
3. LPS for Protection against the electromagnetic pulse of the lightning
This type of LPS protects the building from damage by direct strike lightning but doesnt
prevent the lightning striking the building. This type of LPS can be divided into:-
The Conventional Lightning Protection System includes (2) different types as follows:
The Conventional Lightning Protection System includes (2) different types as follows:
The air terminal or strike termination device must be positioned so that it is the
highest point on the structure.
The lightning protection system must be solidly and permanently grounded. Poor or
high resistance connections to ground are the leading cause of lightning system failure for
each one of these systems.
None of these systems claims to protect against 100% of the possibility of a lightning
stroke arriving near protective area. A compromise must be made between protection and
economics.
Today, I will explain the Conventional Lightning Protection System LPS Components.
The correct choice of material, configuration and dimensions of the lightning protection
components is essential when linking the various elements of an LPS together.
The designer/user needs to know that the components, conductors, earth electrodes etc
will meet the highest levels when it comes to durability, long term exposure to the
environmental elements and perhaps most importantly of all, the ability to dissipate the lightning
current safely and harmlessly to earth.
Various standards series have been compiled with this very much in mind. At present these
standards are as follows:
1- Within Europe:
Various standards series have been issued by (2) National Committees which are:
Notes:
The standards generally have an IEC prefix to their number (CEI for French versions). IEC
standards are produced in English and French languages.
IEC and CENELEC generally work in parallel, and CENELEC members vote to adopt new IEC
standards as CENELEC standards. The committees of CENELEC may choose to make some
alterations to the IEC version.
Additionally, CENELEC produce their own standards to which IEC have no counterpart.
CENELEC documents are produced in English, French and German and an approved CENELEC
standard will have an EN prefix (or NE in the French language versions).
For example:
IEC 62305-1 (IEC version) is parallel to EN 62305-1 (CENELEC adopted copy of the above)
And both are parallel to BS EN 62305-1 (British National Standard adoption ofthe above)
2- Within USA:
Various standards series have been issued such as:
For heavy fault conditions, Conductor Size should be calculated in accordance with IEEE Std 80.
The Conventional Lightning Protection System consists of (2) main parts (see Fig.1) :
Fig.1: External and Internal Lightning Protection Systems
1. Non-isolated system,
2. Isolated system.
Fig.2: Air Termination System Types
1- Non-Isolated System:
2- Isolated System:
The strike termination subsystem can take many forms specified by the various engineering
standards available (see Fig.3), as follows:
The air terminal is a metal device listed for the purpose by a Nationally Recognized
Testing Laboratory like UL, and is connected in an electrically and mechanically robust
fashion to the conductor subsystem. In general, it is consisting of a metal rod protruding
above a structure.
Vertical Air Terminals may be used as free standing masts or linked with conductors
to form a mesh on the roof. They are commonly known as lightning rods or Air Rods or Air
Finals.
2- Horizontal air termination network:
It may lie in direct contact with the roof in order to reduce the effect of flashover
caused by a large induction loops,
It may be suspended above it in the event that it is of paramount importance that the
roof is not exposed to a direct lightning discharge.
- Meshed conductor network usually uses bare copper strip (253 mm for example) which
will be supported at equal intervals.
One or more catenary conductors may be utilized to provide a zone of protection over an
entire structure. Catenary (or suspended) conductors, whether they are supported by free
standing masts or linked with conductors to form a mesh on the roof.
For Table in fig.4, Where combustible materials are not present, and water ingress
can be tolerated from a puncture due to lightning, then thinner material is permitted for
air-terminations.
If the materials do not meet these requirements in Fig.4 and Fig.5, then they must
be protected by the lightning protection system.
It is not desirable to use vessels and pipe work which contains gas or liquids under
high pressure or flammable gas or liquids.